Bye Bye Brunch—Mimi’s Café Demo’d for New Yard House 🍻

Good morning, SCV. This weekend is all about big hats, big bets, and intergalactic diplomacy. It’s one of those rare weekends where dressing like a Kentucky socialite and a Jedi master is entirely appropriate. And if anyone’s hosting a “Mint Juleps & Millennium Falcons” party, please send the invite. We’ll bring the bourbon and the dramatic cloak entrances.

In today's SCV Insider:

• This weekend’s events 🤩 

• Calgrove on-ramp closes may 5 🚧

• Say hello to yard house (soon) 👋

Let’s get into it.

— Kate

This Weekend’s Events

Friday, May 2

🆕 New Events

🍱 Okamoto Kitchen Food Truck | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | School of Rock, Santa Clarita | Free Entry (Food for Purchase) | Craving Japanese comfort food with a twist? Catch the Okamoto Kitchen food truck parked next to School of Rock on Lyons Ave for their monthly visit! Known for their bold Japanese fusion dishes, it’s a lunch break worth planning for. Pro tip: preorder online the same day to skip the line and snag your favorite bites.

🥂 2025 Santa Clarita Valley Man & Woman of the Year Gala | 5:30–9:00 PM | Hyatt Regency Valencia | Ticketed | Celebrate the heart of SCV at this annual black-tie gala honoring two incredible individuals for their contributions to the community. Enjoy an evening of recognition, fine dining, and connection with local leaders and nonprofits.

🤠 Boots and Barrels Country Night at Pocock Brewing | 7:00–10:00 PM | The Barrel Room SCV | Free Entry | Dust off your boots and hit the dance floor at this biweekly country night hosted by Pocock Brewing. Enjoy line dancing lessons, a live DJ, and plenty of cold brews in a lively, laid-back setting. No partner or experience required—just bring your best two-step spirit!

🎢 SCV Sheriff's 40th Annual All Schools Dance at Six Flags | 7:30–11:00 PM | Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia | $30 Cash Only | High schoolers from the William S. Hart Union High School District are invited to this legendary night of thrill rides, dancing, and good vibes at Six Flags. Enjoy select rides, a live DJ, and food for purchase. Hart District Student ID required. No backpacks, hats, or sports gear allowed. Grades 9–12 only.

🎭 CalArts MAYhem Festival – Opening Night | 8:00–10:00 PM | CalArts, Valencia | Free–$10 | Dive into an unforgettable night of boundary-pushing art at CalArts’ MAYhem Festival kickoff! Enjoy global rhythms at the World Music & Dance Festival, bold storytelling in Danton’s Death and Love and Information, and stunning movement at the Spring Dance Concert. Come for the innovation, stay for the creativity. Free parking and food available for purchase.

🔄 Recurring Friday Events

🎵 Live Music at Lucky Luke Brewing | 6–9 PM | Lucky Luke Brewing | Start your weekend with great brews and even better tunes.

🎤 Fuel Pump Friday’s Karaoke at Route 66 | 8 PM | Route 66 Grill | Your shot at karaoke glory awaits.

Saturday, May 3

🆕 New Events

🏅 Special Olympics Spring Games | 8:00 AM–3:00 PM | Hart High School & SCV Boys & Girls Club, Newhall | Free | Cheer on the athletes at the Special Olympics Santa Clarita Valley Spring Games! With the Opening Ceremony at 9 AM on the Hart High football field, the day features track & field, basketball, and flag football competitions. Come support an incredible day of sports, inclusion, and community spirit.

🎗 27th Annual Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley | 9:00 AM–9:00 PM | Central Park, Saugus | Free to attend | Lace up your sneakers and join the SCV community in the fight against cancer at this 12-hour fundraising walk. Celebrate survivors, honor caregivers, and remember loved ones through powerful ceremonies, team activities, and on-site fundraising challenges. Raise $250 or more to earn a personalized tribute sign. All proceeds support vital cancer research and patient services. Register or donate at SCVRelay.org.

🎨 ARTree's Flutterby Open Studio | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM | ARTree Community Arts Center, Newhall | Free | Gather the family for this creative, hands-on monthly event featuring fun art projects for all ages. Flutterby Open Studio is the perfect way to explore your artistic side in a welcoming community space. Spots are limited—early registration is recommended!

🌸 Mother’s Day Garden Extravaganza | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | Stevenson Ranch Library | Free | Celebrate Mother’s Day early with the Sunshine Garden Club’s annual fundraiser! Browse charming garden décor, handmade crafts, and a colorful selection of potted plants—perfect for gifting or sprucing up your own space. All proceeds benefit local community projects.

🎨 CalArts MAYhem Festival – Full-Day Immersion | 1:00–10:00 PM | CalArts, Valencia | Free–$10 | Dive into a full day of artistic exploration at CalArts’ annual MAYhem Festival! Enjoy global rhythms at the World Music & Dance Festival, tour MFA Open Studios, and catch evening theater performances of Danton’s Death and Love and Information. With interactive exhibits, live art, and food on campus, this is the ultimate celebration of creativity in Santa Clarita.

🛍️ CalArts Artisan Pop-Up Market – A Creative Showcase of Art, Jewelry & Local Makers | 2:00–7:00 PM | CalArts Main Gallery, Valencia | Free | Discover one-of-a-kind pieces and support emerging artists at this curated pop-up market featuring handmade goods from CalArts students, alumni, and Santa Clarita artisans. Enjoy a 360 photo booth, shop prints and jewelry, and explore the full MAYhem Festival lineup while you're there.

🌺 Mother's Day Luau Party at Lucky Luke Brewing | 3:00–8:00 PM | Lucky Luke Brewing Santa Clarita | Free | Celebrate Lucky Luke Brewing’s 3-year anniversary with tropical flair! Enjoy live music, delicious food, cornhole, local vendors, and a special Polynesian performance at 6 PM. Moms get free flowers while supplies last, plus raffles and giveaways throughout the day. Cheers to good brews and great company!

🏇 Kentucky Derby 2025 | 3:57 PM PT | NBC & Peacock | It’s the most exciting two minutes in sports! The 151st Kentucky Derby gallops into Churchill Downs this Saturday, with 20 elite 3-year-olds competing in the iconic Run for the Roses. Watch live on NBC or stream on Peacock—just don’t forget your mint julep. For post time, picks, and race-day coverage, visit NBC Sports.

🌽 Boy Scout Troop 2222 Cornhole Fundraiser | 5:00–8:00 PM | Old West Masonic Center, Newhall | $12–$24 | Toss some bags for a good cause! Join Troop 2222 for a fun evening featuring a cornhole tournament and spaghetti dinner to support their summer camp adventure to Camp Hi Sierra. Whether you're playing or just coming for dinner, your ticket helps make their trip possible.

🔄 Recurring Saturday Events

🍅 Old Town Newhall Farmers Market | 8:30 AM–1 PM | Old Town Newhall | Fresh produce, artisan goods, and local vibes.

🏍️ Motorcycles & Coffee | 9-11 AM | Ken and Joe’s Powersports | Donuts, coffee, and motorcycles—what else do you need?

🎵 Live Music at Pocock Brewing Tasting Room | 7-10 PM | Pocock Brewing | Sip, relax, and enjoy live performances from local artists.

Sunday, May 4

🆕 New Events

🏃‍♀️ Sombrero Marathon – Celebrate Culture and Fitness on a Scenic Course | 7:00 AM–2:00 PM | Valencia Heritage Park | $Varies by race | Lace up and celebrate culture, community, and cardio at the Sombrero Marathon! With a full marathon (Boston qualifier!), half marathon, 10K, and 5K, this festive race welcomes runners, walkers, and elites alike. Enjoy a scenic, traffic-free course along the Santa Clarita bike path, plus perks like finisher medals, shirts, windbreakers, and post-race tacos. Don’t miss the chance to run for the fun (and the tacos).

🎉 FestAbility: A Celebration of Inclusion and Abilities | 12:00–3:00 PM | West Creek Park | Free | Celebrate inclusivity at this joyful, family-friendly event hosted by the City of Santa Clarita and UCLA Health. FestAbility features adapted sports, live performances, hands-on crafts, face painting, therapy animals, Star Wars character meet-and-greets, and a community drum circle. Enjoy sensory-friendly zones, food trucks, interactive exhibits, and a fully accessible playground. A heartwarming afternoon for all ages and abilities!

🍷 36th Annual Taste of the Town – Food & Wine Fest | 1:00–5:00 PM | Blomgren Ranch, Santa Clarita | $95+ | Savor unlimited gourmet bites, fine wines, and craft beers at this beloved annual fundraiser supporting the Child & Family Center. Held in the scenic hills of Santa Clarita, the event features tastings from top local restaurants and beverage purveyors, plus live music from Mark LeVang and Friends and exciting auctions. VIP entry begins at 1:00 PM with early access and exclusive offerings.

🎶 Acoustic Jam Session at Old Town Newhall Library | 1:00–4:00 PM | Old Town Newhall Library | Free | Grab your guitar (or mandolin, or quiet amp’d bass) and join this casual circle of local musicians as they take turns leading and playing songs together. It’s an open, welcoming space for adults 18+ to share tunes, meet fellow players, and enjoy an afternoon of unplugged vibes.

🥊 Boxing: The Mayor's Cup | 1:00–7:00 PM | Guerrero Boxing Gym, Valencia | $25 Presale / $30 Door | Don’t miss the West Coast debut of The Mayor’s Cup, a three-day amateur boxing event hosted by former champ Fernando Guerrero and Santa Clarita Mayor Bill Miranda. Held over three weekends, each day features 20 action-packed bouts, live entertainment, and local vendors. A portion of proceeds supports The Fernando Guerrero Foundation. Doors open at noon.

🕺 Square & Round Dance with the Sierra Hillbillies | 2:00–5:00 PM | Valencia United Methodist Church | $12 | Channel your inner Jedi (or dance enthusiast) at this “May The Fourth Be With You” themed afternoon of square and round dancing with the Sierra Hillbillies! With lively calls from Bob Jones and round dance cues by Gary and Susan McLaughlin, it’s a celebration of movement, music, and 57 years of folkdance fun. Star Wars costumes encouraged—but not required!

🏓 The Painted Turtle Pickleball Tournament – Play for a Cause | 2:00–5:00 PM | The Griffin Club, Los Angeles | Fundraiser Event | Grab your paddle and get ready to rally—this friendly tournament at the exclusive Griffin Club isn’t just about great pickleball, it’s about sending kids with serious medical conditions to camp. Expect prizes like a Four Seasons Maui stay, Dodger MVP experience, and luxe pickleball gear, plus food, fun, and swag bags for all. Whether you’re playing to win or just for the vibes, your entry supports a powerful cause.

🎹 Boogie Woogie Piano Man at Club 507 | 5:00–8:00 PM | Club 507, Newhall | $25 Admission | Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early with Carl Sonny Leyland’s high-energy band at “Cinco de Mayo Boogie!” Doors open at 4 PM with a complimentary dance lesson at 4:15 PM before the band hits the stage. Enjoy lively tunes, swing dancing, and dinner available for purchase through the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

🔄 Recurring Sunday Events

🍓 Valencia FivePoint Farmers Market | 8:30 AM–1 PM | 27426 Navigation Ave, Valencia | Free Entry | Shop fresh seasonal produce, artisan breads, pastries, locally raised meats, and farm-fresh eggs from California’s family farms. Enjoy ready-to-eat foods while you browse! Happening every Sunday.

🐮 Farm Visits at Gilchrist Farm | 9 AM–2 PM | Gilchrist Farm | $5 | Meet animals, try axe throwing, and milk a goat.

🐷 Visits at The Gentle Barn | 10 AM–12 PM | The Gentle Barn | Spend the morning cuddling cows and pigs for a peaceful start to your day.

Local Stories

Community

🚧 Heads-up, Calgrove commuters! Starting Monday, May 5, the southbound I-5 on-ramp at Calgrove Blvd will be closed for 30 days as part of the I-5 North County Enhancements Project. Crews will be upgrading pavement, installing guardrails, and handling utility work—all part of a $679M effort to improve safety, reduce congestion, and prep the corridor for LA’s 2028 Olympics.

📅 Closure: May 5–June 4
🚙 Plan ahead + use detours via The Old Road or Wiley Canyon to access SB I-5
More info HERE!

(And yes, sigh, maybe leave a few minutes earlier than usual.) (The Signal)

Entertainment

🎻 If your love language is strings and timpani, don’t miss The Romantic Symphony from the Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, May 10 at Canyon High’s Performing Arts Center. This sweeping program features Hanson’s majestic Symphony No. 2, Borodin’s Prince Igor Overture, and Wagner’s soul-stirring Liebestod. Translation? Two hours of musical drama, grandeur, and goosebumps.

🎟 Tickets $10–$20 | More info + tickets here

Business

🍻 Out with the croissants, in with the craft brews—Mimi’s Café in Valencia has officially been demolished to make room for a new Yard House. The corner of Magic Mountain Parkway and Cheri Fleming Auto Drive is saying au revoir to brunches and bonjour to beer flights, burgers, and Yard House’s famously extensive tap list. No opening date yet, but when it does? Expect crowds, cocktails, and maybe a few nostalgic sighs for Mimi’s muffins. (SCV News)

Education

🎓 Big news for CalArts—several of its alumni and faculty just earned one of the highest honors in the arts world: a Guggenheim Fellowship. Think of it like the MacArthur “Genius” Grant’s artsy cousin. Each year, the Guggenheim Foundation picks a handful of standout artists, writers, scholars, and scientists across the country who are doing truly groundbreaking work—and gives them money and time to keep creating. This year’s recipients from CalArts include filmmakers, photographers, performers, and professors, all recognized for pushing boundaries and making work that challenges, inspires, and moves people. TL;DR: it’s a huge deal, and a proud moment for Santa Clarita’s own creative powerhouse. (SCV News)

Our Staff’s Weekend Picks

Watch

📺 Race for the Crown (Netflix)

“With the Kentucky Derby this weekend, Race For The Crown is the perfect pre-game watch. It follows the real behind-the-scenes drama of jockeys, trainers, and owners chasing Triple Crown glory—and as a Kentucky guy, I can say they nailed the intensity of it all. High stakes, big personalities, and a whole lot of heart.”

—EJ Gullett, Ad Partnerships Lead

Eat

🍸️ Classic Mint Julep

“You can’t have Derby Day without a mint julep… it’s basically the law. Fresh mint, crushed ice, and good bourbon? Yes please. It’s simple, refreshing, and makes you feel like you’re trackside in a giant hat, even if you’re just watching from the couch.”

—Kate Gullett, Editor-in-Chief

Read

📖 Sweet Tooth by Sarah Fennel

“I’m a big Broma Bakery blog fan, so when Sarah Fennel wrote her first cookbook, I was quick to preorder it at the library. This cookbook is packed with fun recipes (like birthday cake cookies 🍪) as well as classics like blueberry muffins. I highly recommend this one for newbie and avid bakers alike!”

—Nina Morrison, Contributing Editor

Nina’s Resources for Readers

• How to Read More 

• Get a Library Card

• Libby - audiobooks and e-books - for free! 

• Silent Book Club - set up a local chapter!

• Events at Santa Clarita Public Library

Thanks for reading today.

It’s not every weekend you get horses and hyperspace. May your horse be fast and the Force be strong.

Until next week,

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